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In a March 2008 press release, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care reported that about 34 million people in America wore contact lenses. Most individuals find that wearing contact lenses makes life a bit easier than with prescription glasses. While contact lens risks do exist, most lens wearers find that if they follow their eye doctor’s recommendations and instructions about wear and care, rarely do problems arise. However, some serious eye problems may occur with contact lens wear, so know the risks before you invest in contact lenses. The more serious complications that can lead to eye damage include: •Corneal abrasions – from ill-fitting lenses or improper wear •Eye infections – resulting from improper cleaning or poor hygiene •Dry eyes and corneal ulcers Discussing these risks with an eye doctor near you can help prevent eye problems that can lead to vision loss. Minor Problems Found with Contact Lens Wear Less serious complications found in some contact lens wearers are considered more of a minor irritation and expense. Problems may include: •Loss of contact – hard contact lenses were more likely to “pop out,” but with today’s soft lenses, that’s less likely to occur •Protein build up with soft lenses – causes blurry vision, discomfort, and intolerance to the lenses Knowing When to Notify Someone about Your Contact Lens Concerns When contact lens wear creates visual problems, it’s time to remove your contact lenses immediately and have an eye doctor in your area take a look. While most individuals can wear contact lenses for years without problems, others may have problems from the start. If you develop any of these symptoms, see your eye doctor right away. •Painful eyes •Eye discharge •Blurry vision •Red eyes beyond two days •Scratchy eyes When Glasses are Better than Contact Lenses According to the Vision Council of America, approximately 75% of adults use some type of vision correction. Even though most people who need vision correction are candidates for contact lenses, some should avoid wearing them. These individuals would not be good candidates for hard or soft contact lenses: •Those who have frequent eye infections •People with severe allergies •Individuals who suffer from dry eye •Those who work in environments that are dirty or dusty •Anyone that is unable to handle and care for the lenses correctly Many youngsters who have worn glasses since grade school often are the first to request contact lenses. Knowing when a child is ready for contact lens wear depends upon the child’s level of responsibility. A decision about getting contacts should be a joint decision between the parent and the child. If you are considering replacing some of your prescription eyeglass wear with contact lens, please visit the Internet vision resources at www.eyes.com. You’ll be able to locate an eye doctor in your area to help discuss the risks of contact lenses.
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Eye Care, Eye Doctor, Vision Care, Contact Lenses, Contact Lens Care, Eye Glasses, Vision Doctor, Eye Doctors, Vision Doctors, Contact Lens, Eye Care,
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